Stadler wins Alger contract

ALGERIAN national railway SNTF announced on March 18 that Stadler Bussnang AG had won an international tender called last summer for the supply of EMUs to operate suburban services around the capital.

The Swiss manufacturer is to supply 64 four-car Flirt electric multiple-units between the second half of 2008 and the end of 2010. The SFr600m deal includes spares, a driver training simulator, technical assistance and a 10-year maintenance package.

The single-class units will have 136 seats and space for up to 1000 standing passengers, with two doors per car side for rapid boarding. Up to four units will be able to work in multiple.

Running on the Alger - Thénia, Oued Smar - Guéde Constantine and El Harrach - El Afroun lines, which are currently being electrified at 25 kV 50Hz (RG 3.04 p123), the units will have a maximum speed of 160 km/h and offer 1·2m/s² acceleration.